Sheriff dies of complications from COVID
Marion County Sheriff Rob Craft died Wednesday at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka, where he was airlifted Monday with complications from COVID-19.
The American flag on the sheriff’s desk and Marion’s jail was lowered in her memory.
Rob Crafts
Craft’s body was brought back to the county by members of the Kansas Highway Patrol, where he served before becoming sheriff in 2009. He began his law enforcement career in 1981 as a Private State stationed in Marion.
“110 is back in the county,” Deputy Sheriff Larry Starkey announced over police radio as the motorcade entered the county. Craft’s call sign was 110.
A motorcade of 28 state, county and local law enforcement vehicles escorted the sheriff’s remains from the US-56/77/K-150 roundabout to the Yazel-Megli Funeral Home in Marion shortly before midnight.
Their flashing red and blue emergency lights, two dozen fire and emergency medical rescue vehicles from across the county lined E. Main St. from Thorp St. to Elm St. for the procession.
Even as extremely cold winds and sleet began to fall, dozens of law enforcement officers gathered outside the funeral home to pay their respects.
Craft had been in intensive care on a ventilator at Newton Medical Center before being transferred to Topeka to receive dialysis treatment for kidney failure.
Funeral services are pending.
Under state law, Starkey will serve as sheriff until a successor, nominated by the Republican precinct committee members and women, is appointed by the governor. An election in November will fill the last two years of Craft’s unexpired term.
Craft’s daughter-in-law, Jenny Craft, and her father, Pastor Jeff Lee of Alder Church, both died of COVID in October.